Robert T. Spence-born in Portsmouth, N.H., about 1785, was appointed midshipman in 1800 and was ordered to duty in Siren. The brig sailed for the Mediterranean in 1803 in Commodore Edward Preble's squadron. The following year, Spence participated in attacks on Tripoli and, on 7 August 1804, was an officer in the prize gunboat No. 9 when she was blown up by a hot shot that hit her magazine. Although the boat's stern was under water, he continued loading her forward gun; fired it; and, with his crew of 11 survivors, gave three cheers. Then, sitting astride the gun and waving his hat, went down into the water. Fortunately, he was rescued. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1807 and to master-commandant in 1813. During the War of 1812, Spence superintended the building and equipping of the sloop-of-war, Ontario, at Baltimore and commanded the naval station there. He was commended by Commodore John Rogers for his promptness and ingenuity in laying obstructions to impede the British fleet as it approached Baltimore in September 1814. He was promoted to post-captain in 1815, commanded Naval forces at Baltimore until 1 July 1819, and served in that post again from May 1820 to May 1822. Captain Spence assumed command of Cyane (a captured British warship) at that time and was ordered to the West Indies to help to suppress piracy. He later patrolled the African coasts to oppose freebooters and slavers there. Painting of the Cyane.

Bill Gonyo

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Artist's conception of the Spence as she appeared in late World War II by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.

Artist's conception of a cutaway view of the Spence by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.

"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during theSolomon Islands Campaign, from November 1, 1943, to February 23, 1944. Boldlypenetrating submarine-infested waters during a period when Japanese naval and airpower was at its height, Destroyer Squadron TWENTY THREE operated in daringdefiance of repeated attacks by hostile air groups, closing the enemy'sstrongly fortified shores to carry out sustained bombardments against Japanesecoastal defenses and render effective cover and fire support for the majorinvasion operations in this area. Commanded by forceful leaders and manned byaggressive, fearless crews the ships of Squadron TWENTY THREE coordinated as asuperb fighting team; they countered the enemy's fierce aerial bombing attacksand destroyed or routed his planes; they intercepted his surface task forces,sank or damaged his warships by torpedo fire and prevented interference withour transports. The brilliant and heroic record achieved by Destroyer SquadronTWENTY THREE is a distinctive tribute to the valiant fighting spirit of theindividual units in this indomitable combat group and of each skilled andcourageous ship's company."

The USS Spence (DD-512) on 25 March 1943, a few months after she was commissioned on 8 January 1943, at Boston NY. She has just been upgraded to the three twin 40mm gun mount standard having been delivered with the two twin 40mm gun mount configuration. Photo from the NARA 19-LCM-DD 532 photo file.

Stern view of the USS Spence (DD 512) off San Francisco on 24 July 1943. The Oakland Bay Bridge is in the background.

Darryl Baker

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Broadside view of the USS Spence (DD 512) off San Francisco on 24 July 1943.

Darryl Baker

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Aft plan view of the USS Spence (DD 512) at Hunters Point Navy Yard on 24 July 1943.

Darryl Baker

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Amidships plan view of the USS Spence (DD 512) at Hunters Point Navy Yard on 24 July 1943.

Darryl Baker

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USS Spence (DD-512) on 24 July 1943 at Hunters Point NY upon completion of her upgrade to the five twin 40mm gun mount configuration. This USN BurShips photo (now at NARA in the 19-LCM DD 512 photo file) has a detailed listing of the changes made to the Spence at this time.

Rick E. Davis

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USS Spence (DD-512) Steaming in Iron Bottom Sound, off Guadalcanal, with her crew manning the rails, 23 March 1944. Photographed from USS Montpelier (CL-57). Savo Island is visible in the distance. Wartime censors retouched this image to delete the fire control radar antenna atop Spence's Mark 37 gun director. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

USS Spence (DD-512) In San Francisco Bay, California, circa early October 1944. The ship is wearing Camouflage Measure 31, Design 2c. Wartime censors retouched this image to delete the radar antennas atop the Spence's gun director and foremast. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

The Spence attempting to refuel from the USS New Jersey (BB-62) on December 17 1944, the day before she sank. Photo by MoMM2c George D. McCarthy.

Tim Rizzuto

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14 of the survivors of the loss of the Spence to a typhoon, December 18 1944. Jim's dad is in the top row, third from the right.

Jim Felty

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Dick Strand has created a 40 page history of the USS Spence for the survivors, friends and relatives of those lost at sea aboard the Spence. Presented here are 8 sample pages from the complete history that Dick will send with his compliments to Spence family members. He may be contacted from May to October at 508A Heritage Village, Southbury, CT 06488 and from November to April at 341 Sunset Key, Plant City, FL 33565, you may also reach him via E-mail at GRACERAS@EARTHLINK.NET. Bravo Zulu to Dick in his efforts to keep the history of the Spence alive and well.

Richard A. Strand

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Cutaway view of a Fletcher Class Destroyer

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The noon position/location of the Spence during her exploits in World War II

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Highlights from the Spence's War Diary

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Batlle maps of the engagements that Spence participated in

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Track charts of where Spence was each day during her career

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Pages from the Spence's Newsletter

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Photographs of the ship, her crew and the "Little Beavers" of Arleigh Burke

USS SPENCE DD-512 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.